Galekovic on his way to South Africa as stand-by keeper

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Galekovic on his way to South Africa as stand-by keeper


Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Adelaide United FC goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic’s World Cup dream has come true to an extent, with the Reds stopper named on the plane to South Africa as the fourth choice keeper in the Qantas Socceroos 2010 FIFA World Cup™ squad.

With Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Pim Verbeek announcing a preliminary squad of 31 this morning, Galekovic is the player who will not be included in the list of 30-Players that will be submitted to FIFA, although he will travel to South Africa as a stand-by keeper.

The dual Hyundai A-League Goalkeeper of the Year and Adelaide United Club Champion was selected behind Australia’s number one Mark Schwarzer, Reading’s Adam Federici and Brad Jones, who currently plays with English club Middlesbrough.

Admittedly hoping to have been named as one the three keepers, Galekovic is still thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the squad in its build up to the World Cup.

“Obviously it would have been nice to be one of the three goalkeepers, but in the end it will just be good to be a part of it, to travel with the group and be involved, and I’ll just need to make sure I’m ready if I’m called upon,” Galekovic said.

“It’s a privilege to be included in the top four goalkeepers for Australia and it’s always an honour to put on an Australian jersey and just be part of it.”

While he did not secure one of the three compulsory goalkeeping spots, Verbeek’s decision to take Galekovic to the World Cup highlights the high regard the Socceroos boss has for the 28 year old.

“He (Galekovic) had a great season with Adelaide in what was a tough season for the team in the Hyundai A-League, but he is doing fantastic for himself and the team in the Asian Champions League, and Eugene is one of those players who has made a massive contribution to where the team is in the champions league,” Verbeek said at the announcement of the squad in Sydney.

“It is a difficult position to be in because he has to wait to see if something happens to the other three goalkeepers, but he understands the role and he is happy to be part of it.”

Galekovic has been capped four times for the Qantas Socceroos since he arrived at the Reds from Melbourne Victory in 2007, the exceptional shot stopper’s appearances between the posts in Australia’s final two Asian Cup qualifiers earlier this year, hinting he was in the mix for a place at the world’s biggest sporting tournament.

Watching the Qantas Socceroos in action from Melbourne during the last World Cup four years ago, Galekovic admits he did not believe he would have been in a position to be considered for a place in the squad.

“Not at all,” Galekovic said.

“I think I had just signed with Melbourne Victory and at that time you think not many A-League players will have a chance, but Adelaide United had that opportunity to play in the ACL…and after that I knew I was a little chance.”

“Thinking about it right now, it’s amazing.”

Galekovic will assemble in Melbourne with the rest of the Qantas Socceroos squad on May 19 in preparations for their farewell match against New Zealand on May 24, before departing for South Africa on Wednesday 26 May.

Unless one of the other three keepers is struck down with injury prior to the tournament, Galekovic will be released from the Qantas Socceroos camp on June 12. The Qantas Socceroos’ first match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is on June 13 against Germany.

But before Galekovic starts to think about South Africa, his most immediate focus is on the Reds’ AFC Champions League Round of 16 match against K-League champions Jeonbuk Motors tomorrow night at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Kick-Off is at 7.30pm (ACST) and tickets are available through Ticketek (call 132 849, online at www.ticketek.com.au).

QANTAS SOCCEROOS PRELIMINARY SQUAD FOR THE 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP™
Michael BEAUCHAMP (Al-Jazira Club, UAE), Mark BRESCIANO (U.S. Citta di Palermo, Italy), Tim CAHILL (Everton FC, England), Nick CARLE (Crystal Palace, England), David CARNEY (FC Twente, Netherlands), Scott CHIPPERFIELD (FC Basel, Switzerland), Jason CULINA (Gold Coast United, Australia), Brett EMERTON (Blackburn Rovers, England), Adam FEDERICI (Reading FC, England), Eugene GALEKOVIC* (Adelaide United, Australia), Richard GARCIA (Hull City, England), Vincenzo GRELLA (Blackburn Rovers, England), James HOLLAND (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Brett HOLMAN (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Mile JEDINAK (Antalyaspor Kulubu, Turkey), Brad JONES (Middlesbrough FC, England), Josh KENNEDY (Nagoya Grampus, Japan), Harry KEWELL (Galatasaray SK, Turkey), Shane LOWRY (Aston Villa FC, England), Scott MCDONALD (Middlesbrough FC, England), Mark MILLIGAN (JEF United, Japan), Craig MOORE (Uncontracted), Lucas NEILL (Galatasaray SK, Turkey), Jade NORTH (Tromsø, Norway), Tom OAR (FC Utrecht, Netherlands), Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (FC Twente, Netherlands), Mark SCHWARZER (Fulham FC, England), Carl VALERI (U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, Italy), Dario VIDOSIC (FC Nurnberg, Germany), Luke WILKSHIRE (FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia), Rhys WILLIAMS (Middlesbrough FC, England)

*Note: Eugene Galekovic will not be included in the list of 30-Players that will be submitted to FIFA but will travel with the Qantas Socceroos squad to South Africa as a stand-by goal keeper